Published: Sep 27, 2012 12:52:36 PM Updated: Mar 27, 2013 11:36:58 AM

MEDIA RELEASE

27th September 2012

ISPS extends global support of International Golf

The International Sports Promotion Society, ISPS, announced today it will become the title sponsor of the inaugural Perth International which will see the event rebranded as the ISPS HANDA Perth International.

Midori Miyazaki, ISPS' Executive Director of International Affairs said: "ISPS is delighted to become title sponsor of this exciting new major event. Perth is a wonderful, vibrant city and as the second home of our Chairman, Dr Haruhisa Handa, who has received the keys to the City of Perth and the City of Swan for his significant philanthropic endeavours, it is a very fitting partnership."

"ISPS has a long history of supporting golf around the globe and are committed to raising the profile of blind and disabled golf throughout the world. Dr Handa established the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) in 1998 and through ISPS recently initiated the ISPS HANDA PGA Academy Programme in the UK. In 2012 this programme will deliver over 1000 lessons from PGA professionals to blind and disabled golfers of all ages. Our intention is to roll out this initiative in Australia and the rest of the world reaching those in need of this specialised coaching. We believe the ISPS HANDA Perth International offers another great platform from which to promote out ultimate mission for golf to become a Paralympic sport."

Commenting on the announcement, Senior Vice President, Global Co-Managing Director of IMG, Robbie Henchman remarked: "We are delighted to welcome ISPS HANDA as our naming rights partner and on behalf of IMG I would like to extend our thanks for their invaluable support."

The ISPS HANDA Perth International will be played at the magnificent Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 18 to 21 October 2012.  It is the richest tournament in Australia and the only event in this country to be co-sanctioned between the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour.

The field will be made of 156 players headlined by World number 9 Jason Dufner and 2011 Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel.

The ISPS HANDA Perth International also announced today that two time PGA TOUR winner and world number 24, Bo Van Pelt from the United States would play in this year’s event.  Bo won his first Tour event at the US Bank Championship in 2009 and last year won the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.  He has enjoyed another terrific year recording 10 top 10 finishes highlighted by a second place finish behind Tiger Woods at the AT&T National in July.

This will mark Bo’s first visit to Australia in eight years.  “I have heard a lot of great things about Western Australia from the players over here and I’m looking forward to the trip.  Perth worked out well with my schedule and the swing of events in Asia-Pacific,” Bo said.

Other players announced so far include former world number 3 Paul Casey along with Perth’s own Brett Rumford – a three time winner on the European Tour and an ambassador to the 2012 ISPS HANDA Perth International.

Entries for the Perth International on both the European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia close on Thursday 27^th September and the full field will be published thereafter. 

The Perth International has also announced that FOX SPORTS will be the exclusive domestic broadcaster of the tournament.  FOX SPORTS is easily the biggest golf broadcaster in Australia via its extensive coverage of the PGA TOUR; European Tour; Web.com Tour; Asian Tour; LPGA; Ladies European Tour along with magazine style programming such as “The Golf Show” and Golfing World.

IMG Media will produce their “best in class” broadcast in HD and the event will be broadcast live / near to live for five hours on all four days from 12:30 to 17:30 Perth time and 15:30 to 20:30 AEST.

The commentary team will be led by FOX SPORTS’ own Warren Smith and Brett Ogle along with Peter Donegan and Ewan Porter.

The Perth International will be broadcasted globally for over 800 hours showcasing Perth and Western Australia to 400 million homes in 67 countries.

In addition to the outstanding support of ISPS and Tourism Western Australia through Eventscorp, the ISPS HANDA Perth International has attracted a number of valued corporate partnerships led by Crown Perth, Volkswagen, Western Australian Newspapers, TAG Heuer, Schweppes, Drummond Golf, Spotless, Hahn Super Dry, Accolade Wines, Titleist, 96fm and 6PR.

The Perth International is owned and promoted by IMG and is the collective vision of Eventscorp, a division of Tourism Western Australia, and IMG to see a major international golf event played annually in Perth.

The winner of the event will receive an exemption to the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions to be played in China two week’s after the Perth International.

Tickets to the Perth International are on sale from the event website www.perthinternational.com 

For general event information and updates visit www.perthinternational.com and follow the Perth International on Facebook www.facebook.com/PerthInternationalGolf and Twitter @PerthIntl

Media contact:  Janine Pittaway, +61 (0) 418 911 796 or jpittaway@brightcommunications.com.au